Improving Memory in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis
- Full Text View
- Tabular View
- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Purpose
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) suffer from cognitive and other brain problems. This study will examine the effectiveness of the drug donepezil and of sugar water for enhancing memory in individuals with MS. Donepezil (also known as Aricept) has been FDA approved for improving memory and learning in individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
| Condition | Intervention | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
Multiple Sclerosis |
Drug: donepezil Drug: glucose |
Phase 3 |
| Study Type: | Interventional |
| Study Design: | Allocation: Randomized Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment Masking: Double-Blind Primary Purpose: Treatment |
| Official Title: | Interventions to Improve Memory in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis |
| Estimated Enrollment: | 60 |
| Study Start Date: | September 1999 |
| Estimated Study Completion Date: | August 2002 |
Cognitive dysfunction is one of the leading causes of disability in people with MS. Memory involving specific words (verbal memory) is particularly affected in individuals with MS. Attempts to rehabilitate cognitive dysfunction in MS have had only limited success.
This study will determine the efficacy of donepezil therapy and glucose administration for enhancing verbal memory functioning in individuals with MS. The study will also measure secondary outcomes assessing other areas of cognitive dysfunction (i.e., nonverbal memory, conceptual thinking, processing speed) which may improve with intervention.
Forty participants with MS will be randomly assigned to receive either donepezil or placebo for 24 weeks. Participants will complete memory and cognitive tests at the beginning and end of the 24 week period.
Twenty participants with MS will be randomly assigned to drink a beverage sweetened with either glucose or saccharin (placebo). Participants will then complete memory and other cognitive tests. Two weeks later, participants will drink a beverage sweetened with the alternative sweetener and again complete the memory and cognitive tests.
Eligibility| Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 56 Years |
| Genders Eligible for Study: | Both |
| Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria
- MS as defined by the Poser criteria
- Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 0 to 6.5
- Stable neurologic function for at least 30 days prior to study entry
- Agree to continue all current medications for study duration
- Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test score in low normal range or below
- Mini-mental status exam score of 26 or higher
- Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale scaled score of 14 or lower
- Fluent in English
Exclusion Criteria
- Use of anticholinergic or benzodiazepine medication
- Change in dosage of medications judged to have the potential to impact cognitive function (e.g., antispasticity medications) within 2 weeks of study entry
- Current alcohol or substance abuse
- History of neurological or major medical problem that has a known effect on cognitive functioning
- History of noncompliance
- Visual or upper extremity impairment which precludes ability to participate in cognitive assessment
Contacts and Locations| United States, New York | |
| University Hospital and Medical Center | |
| Stony Brook, New York, United States, 11794-8121 | |
| Principal Investigator: | Lauren B. Krupp, MD | Department of Neurology, University Hospital Medical Center |
More Information
Publications:
| ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00062972 History of Changes |
| Other Study ID Numbers: | 1R01 HD38107-01 |
| Study First Received: | June 18, 2003 |
| Last Updated: | May 20, 2011 |
| Health Authority: | United States: Federal Government |
Keywords provided by Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD):
|
Multiple Sclerosis Cognitive Dysfunction Treatment Interventions Verbal memory deficits |
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
|
Multiple Sclerosis Sclerosis Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System Nervous System Diseases Demyelinating Diseases Autoimmune Diseases Immune System Diseases Pathologic Processes Donepezil |
Cholinesterase Inhibitors Enzyme Inhibitors Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action Pharmacologic Actions Cholinergic Agents Neurotransmitter Agents Physiological Effects of Drugs Nootropic Agents Central Nervous System Agents Therapeutic Uses |
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on May 22, 2013